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When the morning came, Urvi was still asleep so Karna decided to check if Duryodhan and Bhanumati has started their packing or not.

He smiled. He is doing all this for Urvi. When did she became so precious to him.

As it was morning, he decided to wait at the practice hall of the palace where the princes usually practice at that time. He told the guard to inform Duryodhan of his presence. The royal guard informed him that the prince will join in a while.

The practice hall was already occupied by the Pandavas at that time, unknown to Karna.

When Karna was walking by through the practice hall, he saw a reflection on the shiny surface of the golden vase. It was Arjun doing his Archery practice.

He didn't turn back, just saw him from the reflection.

Arjun was aiming at the red-mark(bull's eye) through five waterpots hanging from the ceiling. From the waterpots, water droplets dripped. He saw that they are dripping in some unique pattern. The first pot dripped at one breath, the second pot at two breaths and so on. At the sixtieth breath all pots dripped at the same time and that's when Arjun release his arrow from the bow. The arrow struck the Bull's eye, piercing through the five water droplets at the same time.

When Arjun aimed for the second time and when he was about to hit the target mark, the arrow which he released was struck by another arrow. His arrow get deflected from the aim and was lying on the floor, dead.

The another arrow was proudly settled on the Bull's eye. Arjun got amazed. He turned and saw Angaraj Karna.

Karna has seen the reflection on the golden vase and without turning, just looking at the reflection aimed his bow in opposite direction and struck the Bull's eye.

When he turned and saw Arjun looking at him, he walked towards him.

Karna and Arjun shared a strong magnetism towards each other as rivals.

From his very childhood, Karna has thought Arjun to be his equal in competence and wanted to surpass him. Though he didn't have to prove anything, but he has been denied, even to show his skills because of his lower caste. And that instituted craziness in Karna.

From then till now, they don't like each other at all.

But the truth is, they hate and love each other at the same time. Strange, but yes. They love to hate each other and they hate to love each other as rivals. Because each one knows the qualities of other. And no other warrior in the world could out-match them. So it's just between this two, who would be crowned as the Mightiest Archer in the whole world.

Karna eyes were brooding but Arjun's eyes shined as always.

When they walked the distance between them, both regards each other with equal admire and disdain.

The other Pandavas were stunned in their places.

Both of them, with their cool demeanor reckoned each other.

Arjun- Angaraj Karna! Pranipaat!

Karna- Pranipaat, Prince Arjun!

Arjun(coolly)- It seems you are getting habituated to join me all the time.

Karna(equally cool)- In the battlefield, these kinds of practice won't help you prince.

Arjun tilted his head to the side.

Arjun- There's a difference between Practice and Battle, Angaraj. Not everyday is a battle.

Karna- Every day of my life has been a battle, Prince Arjun. Either you win or you die. There's nothing in between them...(smirking) And moreover, you practice like a kid!

Arjun(smiled coolly)- Beware of this kid then, Angaraj! Or some day he's going to pierce his arrow through your heart.

Karna(proudly)- Why wait for some day??? What we have left that day(tournament), we should continue it now. I won't need more than few moments to best you.

Arjun(equally proudly)- Why not??? Let's begin it.

They were coolly regarding each other, but the daggers they were throwing at each with their eyes told everything.

Karna has always wanted a chance to prove himself and finally, he thought is going to have that.

Arjun may have been the silent observer in this whole thing, but he has seen many times Mata Kunti with Angaraj. Be it in the company of Duryodhan or Bhabhishree or Urvi.

Many times he has saw them, and when they are together, they seem like a happy family and he(Arjun) feel like an outsider at that moment. He couldn't shake the feeling off, but there is something nagging him too. And he felt Angaraj blessed on that time.

Angaraj has intruded in their lives so finely that he has become an inseparable part of their life, whether Arjun wants it or not.

Both Karna and Arjun lifted their bows and aimed towards each other.

All of sudden, a sound of clearing of throat is heard.

It was Duryodhan.

Duryodhan- What's going on???

He stood beside Karna.

When the Pandavas saw the two Archer stretching their bows towards each other, they rushed to them at the same time when Duryodhan arrived.

Karna (calmly)- Nothing to worry, Mitra. Prince Arjun and I are clearing each other's misunderstandings of who's the best of the bestest.

Pandavas- What's happening (Bhrata) Arjun???

Arjun too replied calmly as he doesn't want others to get involved in this.

Arjun- Everything is fine. Angaraj and I are just doing some warm up.

Duryodhan intercepted prosaically.

Duryodhan- As we all know, you two are bloodthirsty for each other, but could we not put hiatus(halt) on our typical Alpha male characteristics for some time and go peacefully!!!

Six pairs of eyes zeroed on in Duryodhan's direction as if he has grown another head on his body. Duryodhan and peace.... Impossible.

Bheem spoke to him. As he was always angry he asked angrily.

Bheem- What game are you playing now, (sarcastically) Bhraaata Duryodhan???

Karna too couldn't discern Duryodhan's behaviour.

Duryodhan ignored Bheem's verbal jibe.

Duryodhan(lightly)- My pregnant wife is sick of our fighting... Do you want her to know about this and puke/vomit all over the palace???

For the first time in the century, all of them smiled on Duryodhan's remark.

Although they have not as cordial relationship with Bhanumati as like Karna, but all the Pandavas respected and regarded Bhanumati in high esteem. They shook their heads in a no.

Duryodhan laughed on his own remark. He is getting crazy, he thought.

Duryodhan(to Karna)- You are obviously included in this, Mitra.

Karna's all displeasure evaporated. He smiled softly.

Karna- Your wish is my command, My Mitra.

Duryodhan's heart showed in his eyes on Karna's statement.

Duryodhan(to the Pandavas)- I don't know how I am going to sound.... But for the sake of my wife... I want to cry pax(Truce/ sanddhi karna) with you all.

He looked at Yudhisthira.

Yudhisthira, the Ajatshatru (the one whose enemies are not born/ one who has no living enemies) smiled.

Yudhisthira- Bhrata Duryodhan. I'm very pleased with you.

And to show his pleasure, Yudhisthira walked to Duryodhan and gives him a brief hug.

Now this time, Duryodhan stared at Yudhisthira as if he's grown two heads.

Nakul and Sahadev(To Yudhisthira)- Bhrata, it may be some plot!!! You can't think it's all true!!! Beware!!!

Bheem(to Duryodhan)- I still don't believe in you!!!

Arjun kept his opinion to himself.

It wasn't the fault of the Pandavas, but they have suffered ever since their childhood. And especially Bheem from Duryodhan.

Yudhisthira softly chided his brothers.

Yudhisthira- You become what you think, my dear Anujs!!! If you would think always suspicious of every thing, you would become suspicious at all things. And you are not at all like that, No???

Nakul and Sahadev- we apologise, Jyesta!

Yudhisthira, always the peacemaker, murmured softly to his brothers.

Yudhisthira (softly)- Apologize to your Bhrata Duryodhan.

Nakul and Sahadev (grumbled)- We apologise!

Bheem still looked sternly, but at nobody.

Duryodhan doesn't know why but felt his heart gives a beat, as if his Priye appreciating and giving him strength for 'you can do it'. But his mind was saying otherwise.

Duryodhan choose what his heart said.

Duryodhan- I too apologize for all my bad behaviour to you all. And especially you, Bheem. It was just a childhood nonsense for what I did to you(drown him into the river). I don't know if we could have a normal relationship or not but I very much want to end the enmity between us.

Bheem gnarled.

Yudhisthira- There never was any enmity between us. We are all family.

They nodded.

And since they all are men, they didn't continued this overemotional and indigestible conversation.

Karna and Arjun silently nodded to each other saying, it's stopped for now. But just now.

They all dispersed in their respective directions, away from the practice hall; with Karna and Duryodhan only left.

Karna(curiously)- What was that all about???

Duryodhan (as if telling him all)- My Priye!!!!

Karna laughed.

Karna- So Bhanu has finally browbeaten you into doing her wishes.

Duryodhan (chuckling)- These women are crazy creature, I'm telling you Mitra... And their tears are their deadly weapons. Even Brahmastra couldn't have a chance against it.

Karna- So true. ...

He looked towards Duryodhan at an amazed expression on his face.

Karna- How did we even got trap on these entanglement???!!!(accusing) It's all because of your fault and you.

Duryodhan (laughing)- Me!!! What have I done???

Karna- You and your all "UPGRADED VERSION OF LOVE" has put us in this institution called love and there is no going out of it.

Duryodhan laughed.

Duryodhan- You still remember our that conversation!!!

Karna(mock-sarcastically)- Of course. Who could forget it. It got contagious.

Duryodhan(laughing)- Don't tell anyone!!! If your Urvi got to know about it .. she would be ready to fight against me. ... But see... You have to accept... Our lives are changing for better, no???

Karna(smiled)- True. Coming to Urvi, she wants both of you to come with us to Anga.

Duryodhan (teasingly)- Now, who is behaving like a lovesick idiot.

Karna laughed. He has no ready retort for it.

Karna- So??? Are you both coming or not???

Duryodhan- Seriously... What has happened to you all people. Urvi and Priye want all of us to go. It's yours and Urvi's chance to spend some quality time with each other. But no... If these girls get the company of each other, we would be completely invisible for them then.

Karna nodded.

Karna- It's all upto you. If Bhanu wants to go, then it's really okay. It's just a mini vacation. We would all have fun.

Duryodhan(teasing)- You are an idiot, Mitra. You two should be spending some "special" moment with each other.

Karna and Duryodhan has come to the terms where they tease and taunt each other. Karna exactly know what this special means.

Karna(chuckling)- There is nothing going to be"special" Mitra. Everything would be after our marriage. And no further teasing on that topic.

Duryodhan (laughed)- very well.

Karna- So??? Coming or not???

Duryodhan(thinking)- It's undecided yet. No from my side. But I don't know if my wife still wants to go or not???

Duryodhan voice has dropped significantly.

Karna- Everything is alright????

Duryodhan- Everything is alright.

He wouldn't want to bother Karna on his own personal troubles, Duryodhan decided.

And finally the troubles are getting over, he thought. It has taken more than his strength to apologise. He has said it lightly, but indeed he meant it.

It would take ages, from the Pandavas to think the same, but as Yudhisthira said they are all family.

Duryodhan (repeated)- Everything is going to be alright, Mitra.

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